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How to resolve DNS issues on Windows 11 that began after an update

kshea6 30 Reputation points
2025-10-16T22:28:08.8+00:00

Following a Windows 11 update ((KB5065789) (26100.6725)) I was unable to load web pages, get messages downloaded to Outlook, etc., yet my laptop showed that it was connected to the wireless network. I tried a wired connection to my router; same issues. Then I failed to ssh to a Linux desktop on my home network using its hostname, so I sshed using its IP address and it worked fine. I concluded that the network was fine and DNS was broken. Backing out the update and rebooting gave me 5 minutes of relief and then the same problem. 'ipconfig /flushdns' and 'netsh winsock reset' followed by a reboot solved the problem until the next Windows Update 10 days later (a different update KB5066131). Then the same problem reoccurred. This time, backing out the update and the DNS commands above gave me 16 hours of relief and then the same problem. Please offer any advice on how to solve this issue. I have Windows Updates suspended and the computer is not real useful right now. The following facts are further increasing my lack of figuring out a next step:

  1. I am adding this question from a Firefox browser running on an Ubuntu VM on the very same laptop that cannot load a web page. That works but Windows itself doesn't.
  2. I can now ssh to the Linux box using its hostname but that's the only DNSey thing that works from Windows 11.
  3. My wife applied the same Windows updates on her laptop and has had no issues. Our ipconfig/all output looks the same except where you'd expect differences (e.g. IPaddr).
  4. Our router hasn't changed in several years and the firmware level is frozen by Xfinity (Netgear C7100V). All other network devices in the home work fine.
  5. When I can't load a page in Edge it tells me I'm offline. When I click the Troubleshoot button it tells me I'm online.
  6. I have brought all apps down and brought them up one by one (Outlook, edge, firefox) observing in task manager and they still don't work and the CPU is not busy.
  7. virus scanning finds nothing.

Thanks.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity

Answer accepted by question author

  1. CB 85 Reputation points
    2025-10-22T16:06:14.95+00:00

    I was unable to connect to wi-fi after the last update, but got windows support and this is what fixed it. run the command prompt as administrator. The run each of these commands (leave out the step numbers). Then restart! IMG_6197

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  1. Cal Tom 20 Reputation points
    2025-10-23T00:27:31.9066667+00:00

    Uninstall all VPNs via add or remove programs, then in admin prompt run netsh wlan show profiles to list your networks and netsh wlan delete profile name="ProfileName" to remove unneeded ones, then reconnect to your network.

    this worked for me yesterday, still using firefox good luck gang

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  2. Jo 0 Reputation points
    2026-04-02T15:49:16.0066667+00:00

    I have a similar issue (at least I believe its DNS related). I now have the second device affected by it, the first only resolving after reinstalling the OS from scratch, something that is not an option at the moment (writing my uni thesis that due in 2 weeks...) so I require a different solution.

    About the systems: neither had been updated since the troublesome update that came out in oct. until recently. The first one was ultimately updated by mistake and broke its web access. A lot of trial and error with MSsupport (doing the whole reset command stack seen above) ending in me pulling the plug and opting to a full reinstall. Now I have the same issue with another system after having to update&restart (Python kept creating issues due to insufficient memory) but neither the time, patience or motivation of doing a full reinstall (at least until my thesis is done in 2 weeks) but also not the option of just leaving it be until then. So I hope the Community can help.

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  3. jwince 0 Reputation points
    2025-10-20T19:40:44.9866667+00:00

    I'm having the same, since yesterday (19th), but my last windows update was on the 15th. I don't have the OP's KB patch. Every other device on my network is fine, and that includes other win11 boxes with the same patch history (although updated more recently). I have AVGFree, running mostly Unity game engine the last few days, Firefox, VSC, Obsidian. Nothing weird. Network, I connect to TP-Link homeplugs, and a broadband router with DHCP and its own DNS cache proxy. Tried changing to my ISP DNS directly, but makes no difference. Maybe a slightly higher chance if I'm not doing anything on it. It is totally annoying because I have to the winsock reset and reboot every time. Hope there's an answer can be found and patched quick!

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